EJAE’s Glad Her KPop Demon Hunters Fame Came in Her 30s

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EJAE has been incredibly busy lately. Just last week, she walked the red carpet at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles. The week before that, despite recently recovering from bronchitis, COVID, and a cold, she performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. In between events on both coasts, she even flew to Korea and mentioned on a radio show that she’s been running on only three to four hours of sleep. All this is because she’s one of the lead singers and a primary songwriter for Huntr/x, the popular fictional K-pop group featured in Netflix’s record-breaking film, KPop Demon Hunters. Their soundtrack has even reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart twice.

When we spoke, Eunjae Kim – a 33-year-old artist originally from Seoul and now based in Brooklyn – was home in Prospect Heights, having just slept for 15 hours. She described the recent whirlwind as something she’d never experienced before, admitting she felt mostly just numb. The excitement isn’t slowing down: the soundtrack to KPop Demon Hunters is currently second only to Taylor Swift on the Billboard album chart, and the film is predicted to be nominated for both Grammy and Oscar awards. As of Wednesday, EJAE has officially joined the WME talent agency, and the voice of the character Huntr/x will make their live concert debut soon.

Though her rise to fame seems quick, it’s been years in the making. EJAE began training as a K-pop idol with the major company SM Entertainment when she was just 11 years old, back in 2003. Despite a full twelve years of training, she wasn’t launched as a singer, and SM ended their contract with her in 2015. She then turned to music production, earning a degree from New York University in music and psychology. In 2017, she returned to SM for a songwriting workshop and remarkably wrote the melody for Red Velvet’s popular song “Psycho” in just half an hour. She continued to work behind the scenes, writing, coaching vocals, and providing backing vocals for many K-pop artists. Her talent caught the attention of the producers of KPop Demon Hunters, who, impressed by her demos, asked her to both write songs and sing for the film’s lead actress. Ironically, her voice, once deemed too deep and not traditionally feminine during her trainee days, now allows her to hit an incredible high note (A5) as Rumi, helping the song “Golden” reach number one in over 25 countries.

EJAE’s recent success has inspired her to step out from behind the scenes and focus on her own music. She just released her first single, a moving piano ballad called “In Another World,” which is exciting news for fans who previously had to search for old demos or teenage covers to hear her sing. While she’s waiting for updates on a potential sequel to KPDH and the possibility of performing as Huntr/x at events like the Grammys or Oscars, she plans to keep writing music for herself and other artists. She describes the change as a complete turning point in her life, and says she’s been overwhelmed with support from people reaching out.

You’ve mentioned wanting to experiment with many genres as a solo artist – R&B, rap, jazz, and rock, to name a few. What led you to start this new phase of your career with a slower, more emotional song?

I think the message was more important than the genre itself. This song is about a difficult time my fiancé and I went through. It’s about admitting that we both have flaws and that I, personally, struggled with jealousy and insecurity, which caused some hurt feelings. Realizing that we weren’t perfect – and that’s okay – actually brought me a sense of peace.

So, how long have you and your partner been together? Eight years now! He’s a producer, though he’s gotten into coding recently. We actually met during a songwriting session back in 2017, and we’ve really grown up together since then.

You mentioned a previous song, “Psycho,” was about a difficult long-distance relationship with someone who inspires you. How did he react to hearing “In Another World”?

He really is a muse! There’s actually another love song I’ve written about him that I plan to release soon. I think I write best when I’m going through tough times because I’m more open and vulnerable. When he heard “In Another World” and watched the music video, he cried along with me. He understood the song wasn’t just about our relationship failing, or about either of us being bad people. It actually grew into a song about my relationship with myself – about the different paths my life could have taken. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a singer, but I ended up choosing a different direction at the time.

I realized it wasn’t about a lack of talent; I simply struggled with insecurities that held me back from pursuing a career as a singer. It’s okay to think that maybe I’d choose a different path in another life, and that’s perfectly fine. Knowing I might live different lives takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.

It’s been amazing seeing how people connected with the movie, and honestly, with my journey too. So many have told me they really related to my story, and I think this song really captures what it’s all about – learning to accept things as they are.

You’ve often talked about believing everything happens for a reason. But I’m curious, after spending over a decade training to be a K-pop star and then being let go, was it hard to feel that way? How long did it take you to adopt that perspective?

It really clicked for me in my 30s, once my brain was fully developed. Honestly, if I’d become famous in my 20s, I don’t know where I’d be now. My 20s were a time for personal growth – I had time for relationships, learning, and letting go of my ego. It was a period of real self-discovery. That, combined with my experiences behind the scenes in the K-pop world, gave me a different understanding of fame. Now that I’m experiencing it, I feel prepared to handle it. It looks glamorous, but it can be really challenging, you have to be careful.

Your grandfather is the well-known actor Shin Young-kyun. Since he’s been in the business for so long, has he offered any guidance on dealing with all the attention you’re getting? He’s a bit old-fashioned, though. His main advice is just to work hard – pretty simple, really.

He’s absolutely right. I keep telling him, “Grandpa, I’ve been working hard the whole time!” But he’s correct – I still need to push myself.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=2PAIj_pGtac

I was asked about a song that really challenged me as a songwriter. The aespa songs “Drama” and “Armageddon” definitely pushed me, as they’re both very rap-heavy. I had to really focus on developing my rap style. When I’m struggling with a write, I often listen to rappers I admire and practice mimicking their flow. That’s what I did with these songs – I studied artists like Doja Cat, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay Rock to find the right tone.

You’ve mentioned choreography inspires your songwriting. Will we see you dancing as a solo artist? Honestly, probably not. I’m not interested in dancing right now; I really want to start a family and have babies! It’s incredibly difficult to sing and dance at the same time. I’m already focused on performing the vocals for my new song, ‘Golden,’ and balancing writing music for the movie and my own artist projects. So, dancing might happen… if I ever feel inspired to do it.

I almost became a K-pop idol at 18 when I was chosen to be in a ballad trio – it’s funny because my current group, Huntr/x, is also a trio! Ultimately, I decided to focus on my education, which I think was the right move. I wanted a more typical life, because being an idol is anything but normal. Plus, I knew an idol’s career doesn’t last forever. I was already thinking about my future beyond that, and what I wanted to do with EJAE. I wanted a stable career, and I decided to get a degree so I could become a music therapist.

Someone from Girls’ Generation contacted me after we finished KPop Demon Hunters. I won’t say who, but it was nice to hear from them. We all went our separate ways after training, but this felt like a good way to reconnect.

It was a mix of emotions watching my former trainees debut. I tend to feel left out when I’m not involved, so seeing them on stage definitely motivated me to work even harder. But mostly, I was incredibly happy and proud of them. I was really impressed with how much they’d improved – like, Taemin’s vocals were amazing, and Minho’s dancing was on another level!

Many fans have noticed similarities between you and the poet Rumi, not only in your life experiences and navigating the K-pop world, but also in your personality and looks. You’ve even said you’re about 85% alike. What would you say are the key differences between you two? I think I’m more like the younger Rumi, someone who openly shares their feelings and relies on others for support. I wasn’t always like that, which is why I connected with her story. I think she reached that point near the end of the film, so that’s probably where we diverge. Plus, I definitely wouldn’t fall for a demon!

Fans are really hoping to see you, Rei, and Audrey perform together again – maybe at a big event like the Grammys or Oscars, or even as part of a Huntr/x concert. Are you working on making that happen? We absolutely plan to perform together again. As for a full tour, that’s not something we control, but I definitely want to collaborate with them on stage more often.

Are you planning anything new for your next performance, something different from what you did on Fallon? We were thinking maybe a different take on “Golden” – the a cappella version sounded great. We also really want to perform “How It’s Done,” since the audience loves it, even though it’s a challenging song.

I really enjoyed the performance on Fallon. Thanks! We put a lot of effort into it. Performing live is so different from recording – it really uses different skills. I wish people understood that a little more. Honestly, I don’t like performing and I get really bad stage fright, but I’m working on it.

Many people first discovered K-pop through this film, and the music has evolved a lot since the early groups many of us grew up with. What are your thoughts on the K-pop industry today? I’d like to see more idols involved in writing their own songs or collaborating closely with songwriters. One of the best things about K-pop is its blend of different musical genres, whether intentional or not, and I hope that continues. I also think it would be great to hear a wider range of vocal styles. Groups like Huntr/x stood out because Rei, Audrey, and I don’t have the typical vocal qualities you usually hear from K-pop singers.

I don’t necessarily think of my music as K-pop or pop. But if I were to release a song with some Korean lyrics, definitely! I don’t want to limit myself to one specific genre. If I can better express my emotions in Korean, then absolutely I would. Being bilingual, there are some feelings and ideas that are just easier to convey in Korean than in English.

We talked recently about the importance of Korean lyrics in K-pop, and I’ve seen the reaction online. A lot of people feel K-pop is becoming more Westernized, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it’s part of trying to make it popular around the world. Using more English makes the songs easier for a wider audience to understand. However, finding the right mix of Korean and English is key. It’s interesting that people brought up my comments while pointing out that the song ‘Golden’ has very little Korean in it. That wasn’t my decision, and the song is specifically made for an American audience. Using Korean for crucial parts of the story would have made it difficult to follow. It was important that the English lyrics clearly conveyed the storyline.

You know, people keep asking if I’ve started on music for a potential sequel to ‘KPop Demon Hunters’! It’s funny because, as a big fan of the first one, I’d be totally up for it. But honestly, nothing’s official yet. With the first movie, we started working on demos before they even had a script – it was all about getting the project approved. Right now, though, everyone’s swamped with interviews and promotion for what’s already out. I’m stretched thin, and so is the whole team. Creating music takes a lot of time and effort, and honestly? I’m as in the dark as anyone about whether a sequel is even happening. I’m eager to find out, believe me!

When it comes to songwriting, do you see yourself focusing on films, other artists, or your own music in the future? My main focus will always be writing songs. I don’t approach sessions thinking about what I should write. My music isn’t really about me personally – I’d actually prefer if my project, EJAE, was just another way to share my songs. I think every song I write could work for me or for another artist; it’s just about who delivers it.

I co-wrote “In Another World” with some incredibly talented people, and I want to emphasize that the song isn’t personal – it’s about the message it conveys. I’m not claiming to be perfect, but we all wanted the song itself to be something special. Every word and note was carefully considered by everyone involved. So, I’d rather you focus on the song, not on me, if that makes sense.

Since releasing “KPop Demon Hunters,” I’ve seen a huge increase in requests to write songs and work with other artists. It’s completely changed things for me! I’ve been contacted by a lot of people, and I’m really excited about the possibility of collaborating with some of my musical heroes.

Are there projects already in development? It’s just been difficult to manage everything. I’m the vocalist and a songwriter for Huntr/x, and I also write songs independently and pursue my art. It’s hard to balance all that with, well, my personal life… or what’s left of it, I guess.

Oh, yeah … your wedding!
Exactly. “Oh, yeah …” it’s like the secondary thing.

Oh man, that’s a big question! There are so many artists and songwriters I’d love to work with. It’s hard to even pick one! I keep imagining the announcement – like, in a really dramatic way – “EJAE is collaborating with…!” It’s fun to daydream about, honestly.

I noticed when JTBC News asked you to record a video message for Jung Kook, you seemed a little shy. I just don’t want to put anyone on the spot. If you do write about this, could you please mention that EJAE said, “No pressure, honestly”? I really respect him as an artist. It’s not just that he’s talented, but how well he performs. Even though English isn’t his native language, he did an amazing job with “Seven” and everything else – I admire him a lot.

I’d really love to write songs for artists like Dua Lipa, Lady Gaga, Dean, and Ariana Grande. Working with Blackpink would be amazing too – I especially enjoy collaborating with Rosie. No stress, though!

You recently reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and said your next ambition is to win a Grammy. Your song, “Golden,” has been submitted for consideration. If you were to win, which category would be the most significant to you personally? I’d be thrilled – it’s just a dream of mine – to be recognized for my songwriting. It would be incredibly meaningful because it would represent something bigger than just me. As an Asian American woman, I really want to inspire others and show them that anything is possible, even though I still struggle with self-doubt. There aren’t many songwriters who share my background, and I don’t see a lot of Asian American women in the music industry. I hope to help change that and become a role model for aspiring songwriters.

It’s incredibly rare for me to collaborate with another Asian American woman on a writing project. Honestly, it’s only happened once in the past year or two.

I’ve been seeing a lot of Oscar buzz about “Golden,” and people are even putting money on it to win, which is wild! Honestly, it feels a bit surreal and distant. I’m a superstitious person, so I’m trying not to get my hopes up too much and risk jinxing things. But truly, just being mentioned as a possible contender is incredibly humbling and I feel so honored.

Have you thought about what your next achievement would be?
Getting an EGOT! I’m kidding.

So, you could try songwriting, or maybe acting? Nah, not right now. I’m really focused on improving my writing skills. I don’t want to completely rule anything out, though – you never know what opportunities might come up.

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2025-10-24 17:59